4 min read
How to choose the right dress size for children
Age labels are a starting point, not a measurement. Chest and height tell you far more about whether a dress will fit.
The short answer
Measure chest circumference and standing height, then match those to the size guide rather than relying on her age alone. If she falls between two sizes, choose the larger one — occasion dresses are worn for long stretches and a snug fit becomes uncomfortable quickly.
Why age-based sizing varies so much
A label reading '4 years' describes an average child of that age, and averages differ between manufacturers, regions and even individual styles within one range. Two dresses both marked 4 years can differ by several centimetres at the chest.
This is why every reputable size guide publishes measurements alongside the age label, and why those measurements should be treated as the real information.
The three measurements worth taking
- · Chest: measure around the fullest part, keeping the tape level and not tight.
- · Height: measure standing straight against a wall, without shoes.
- · Waist: useful for fitted styles; measure at the natural waistline.
Our reference measurements
These are reference measurements only. Actual fit varies slightly by design and fabric — a structured velvet bodice sits differently from a soft tulle one.
| Size | Chest | Waist | Length | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year | 52 cm | 50 cm | 45 cm | 80 cm |
| 2 Years | 54 cm | 52 cm | 50 cm | 90 cm |
| 3 Years | 56 cm | 53 cm | 55 cm | 100 cm |
| 4 Years | 58 cm | 54 cm | 60 cm | 110 cm |
| 5 Years | 60 cm | 56 cm | 65 cm | 120 cm |
| 6 Years | 62 cm | 58 cm | 70 cm | 130 cm |
When she is between two sizes
Size up. A dress that is marginally large can be worn, adjusted at the waist and kept for a second occasion. A dress that is marginally small has one outcome.
The exception is length: if sizing up puts the hem on the floor, it becomes a trip hazard, and a shorter well-fitting size is safer.
Questions we are asked
- Should I order a size up so the dress lasts longer?
- One size up is sensible for occasion wear. Two sizes up rarely works — the shoulders and armholes sit wrong regardless of how the waist is adjusted.
- Can a dress be exchanged if the size is wrong?
- Yes, within 5 days of delivery, provided the dress is unworn and returned in original condition with tags attached.